Chapter 5 - THE RETURN TO THE LAKEHOUSEThe black armored SUV pulled through the iron gates of a sprawling, heavily guarded estate on the shores of Lake Michigan.
The spring wind was crisp, carrying the fresh scent of water and blooming pines. When Dominic opened the car door and helped me out, I looked up at the towering stone house with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the water.
"Where are we?" I asked, looking at the biometric security scanners at the entrance.
"Home," Dominic said softly, taking my hand. "No hidden rooms, no corporate towers, no secrets. This is where my mother grew up. It's heavily fortified, completely isolated, and yours."
Inside, the house was warm and filled with natural light. But what caught my breath was the corner of the master study—a small, sunlit alcove fitted with an easel, high-grade art appraisal books, and a brand-new drafting table.
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"You didn't have to do this," I whispered, tracing my fingers across the smooth wood of the desk.
"You gave up your career, your apartment, and your safety because of me," Dominic said, standing close behind me, his arms wrapping gently around my waist, his hands resting protectively over our growing baby. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life making sure you never have to hide again."
